Did you build a "Son of Fermentation Chiller"?

**Brewing Clamper** · 02-25-2008, 03:37 PM

I was just wondering how many of you have built one and if you think it was worth the time, effort, and money. I'm considering building one as I may not be able to convince the SWMBO that we have room for a fourth fridge.

**bradsul** · 02-25-2008, 03:40 PM

If you mean 'son of fermentation chiller' I built one to hold 2 primaries. Process aside it made the biggest improvement in the quality of my beers. No off-flavours due to temperature and being able to maintain a constant fermentation temperature makes a huge difference.

**Brewing Clamper** · 02-25-2008, 03:41 PM

oops, edited title. Thanks.

hardrain · 02-25-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradsul

If you mean 'son of fermentation chiller' I built one to hold 2 primaries. Process aside it made the biggest improvement in the quality of my beers. No off-flavours due to temperature and being able to maintain a constant fermentation temperature makes a huge difference.

Is this two or simply twice as long? I was wondering b/c I was hoping to keep a primary and secondary in one.

the DC summer is going to be here soon and I need to be prepared.

**bradsul** · 02-25-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardrain

Is this two or simply twice as long? I was wondering b/c I was hoping to keep a primary and secondary in one...

I made the main chamber basically double the width so it would hold 2 buckets. I also added a second fan (one draws air from the cold chamber, the other pushes air into it) to account for all the extra space. Rather than having to take the top off I also made one of the sides come off in 2 panels (one for each bucket) for ease of loading.

Funkenjaeger · 02-25-2008, 07:03 PM

I don't exactly have much use for it this time of year around here, but in the warmer months my fermentation cabinet (not a SoFC, but same idea) is very important to me. We don't run A/C in our apartment, so for much of the summer it's my only way to ferment in the low-to-mid 60's instead of mid-to-high 70's (or more).

hardrain · 02-25-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkenjaeger

I don't exactly have much use for it this time of year around here, but in the warmer months my fermentation cabinet (not a SoFC, but same idea) is very important to me. We don't run A/C in our apartment, so for much of the summer it's my only way to ferment in the low-to-mid 60's instead of mid-to-high 70's (or more).

how warm of air temp can these thing handle? it gets pretty hot on the third floor, espically during the day when i'm at work at running the a/c doesn't make sense.

i'm going to have to build a double wide then...

**bradsul** · 02-25-2008, 07:34 PM

When I was looking into building a fermentation temp control of some sort I remember reading about some guys who used them in their garages in the summer where ambient temperatures during the day were over 100F. That sold me on building one.

mummasan · 02-26-2008, 05:29 AM

I built one out and I encased it in hardboard - in Hawaii the temps can get pretty high in the afternoons. Right now I just use the ice jugs during vigorous fermentation and once that subsides the temps stay much steadier than if my fermentor was sitting in a closet inside the house.

Over the last week, my primary hit a low of 69 and high of 74. In my book, that is worth the time it took to build.

One day I'll buy a chest freezer for my two kegs and use my small refrigerator for fermenting.

foxtrot · 02-26-2008, 06:19 PM

I built two of them and have been an indispensable item for the brewery. Thing I like best about them is their portability. In the winter, I use them upstairs for warmer temps (ales), in the summer downstairs to keep from getting too warm (requires less ice too).